UCLA Recruiting Reset

Jacob Ruffman and I teamed up for this big recruiting reset, updated with some of UCLA's most recent commitments.
The Bruins have nine verbal commitments so far and are looking at a class about 16-20, and given the annual random attrition, it should be closer to 20. The scholarship outlook totals are approximate, so take into account that every subsequent verbal commitment alters those numbers.

Quarterback
Scholarship Outlook: 0-1
Verbal Commitments: None
Remaining Targets: Jameison Winston / Devin Fuller / Marc Evans / Matt Morin
After pulling out one of the biggest recruiting coups of his career with Brett Hundley last season, Rick Neuheisel is not pressed to find a quarterback, and that's reflected by the fact the Bruins have offered only a handful, and most have already committed. Winston and Fuller are the team's highest-profile offers remaining, but the longest of longshots. With Jerry Neuheisel greyshirting and coming in with the class of 2012, it'd take big seasons from Evans or Morin to get an offer.
Outlook: There's not a ton of analysis to be done - the Bruins got their quarterback of the future in Hundley last year, and that's made most prospects look away, and UCLA look not too hard.

Running Back
Scholarship Outlook: 1-2
Verbal Commitments: Steven Lakalaka
Lakalaka was UCLA's first verbal commitment, and an important one, credited in large part to Inoke Breckterfield. He is a strong runner and locates the gap well, but he doesn't have breakaway speed. He has a solid attitude and approach, he could be in the Chane Moline type, and emerge later in his career as he gains size and experience.
Remaining Targets
Barry Sanders / D.J. Foster / Davien Payne / Robert Lewis
Sanders continues to mention UCLA among his final schools, along with Florida State, Oklahoma State and Alabama. The fact the Bruins are even in that list is pretty surprising, but a good indication of Neuheisel's ability to recruit on the national level. Guys like Sanders showing interest in UCLA even after a poor season makes you wonder how good things could be if the Bruins actually start winning. Sanders is one of the top backs in the country, and smart money is he stays a little closer to home. Foster is an intriguing prospect, and UCLA has had good success with Arizona recruits, so he's a on the radar. Payne appears headed to Boise State, but the Bruins are pursuing him, and Lewis is seeing his recruiting heat up after a successful summer.
Outlook: Sanders would obviously be a coup, but if it comes down to adding two running backs over an extra offensive or defensive lineman, I'd take the lineman. UCLA probably will, too, and might just end up with Lakalaka.

F-back
Scholarship Outlook: 1
Verbal Commitments: Psalm Wooching
Besides having one of the great names in high school football, Wooching is a pretty good ballplayer. He's a great kid, and with Anthony Barr also at the position, that could a solid spot for a few years.
Remaining Targets: None
Outlook: With the loss of Morrell Presley, finding a good F-back was crucial if UCLA is going to stay committed to the Pistol formation, and they could bring in another "athlete" and turn him into an F-back at some point.

Wide Receiver
Scholarship Outlook: 2-3
Verbal Commitments: None
Remaining Targets: Gabriel Marks / Davonte Neal / Kodi Whitfield / Darius Powe / Kenny Lawler / Derrick Woods / Chris Harper
Neal and Woods are going to be tough sells unless the passing game drastically improves early, and the Bruins need to focus intently on Marks, Lawler and Whitfield, who could be a sound trio. But given the lack of depth, other players will certainly emerge throughout the season and draw UCLA's interest
Outlook:
Given UCLA's lack of success at the position and relative difficulties with recruiting the position in the last couple years, it's a bit surprising that Mike Johnson hasn't been able to reel in a wideout yet. UCLA found a gem in Devin Lucien last year, but they still have plenty of holes at the position, and are looking at bringing in two or three.

Offensive Line
Scholarship Outlook: 3-4
Verbal Commitments: Mario Yakoo
Yakoo could turn into a player with some time and polishing from Bob Palcic. He's a big kid - 6-4, 320 - and his technique needs some tightening, so he'd be a likely redshirt candidate.
Remaining Targets: Ronnie Stanley / Jeremiah Poutasi / Lacy Westbrook / Hiva Lutui / Brandon Fanaika / Colby Cyburt / Walker Williams
Too many to discuss individually, just know this: With the caliber of these recruits, getting three or four in would be a crucial haul.
Outlook:
The deepest the position has been in years by just about all accounts, UCLA is in position to get a good class, but needs to put in a lot of work.

Tight End
Scholarship Outlook: 1
Verbal Commitments: Ian Taubler
Taubler, Scout.com's No. 33-rated tight end, could climb that list as the year goes on. The feeling is that he primed for a big senior season and has the game and makeup to continue to impress. He is a good athlete with a solid frame, and he will help maintain balance at the position, which needs to get younger.
Remaining Targets: None
Outlook:
UCLA got a solid tight end for the second straight year, and they probably won't be spending much time looking for another.

Defensive End
Scholarship Outlook: 2-3
Verbal Commitments:
Morgan Breslin (Juco transfer) - Breslin is a guy who UCLA was pretty fortunate to land as quickly as they did, as he has offers from Arizona, Boise State, Purdue and more. He has excellent quickness off the ball and he has a strong motor that helped him total 12 sacks and 21 tackles for loss.
Eli Ankou- Ankou is getting mixed reviews from many prognosticators, and he projects to playing on the inside at some point. He has great size, he's athletic, he's a competitor and he's a smart kid, but his performance in camps has been mixed.
Remaining Targets
Jeremy Castro / Luke Kamuatule / Deforest Buckner / Damion Turpin
There are still several big fish left on the board for UCLA. Castro looked like an Oregon lean a few weeks ago but UCLA is in the mix. Kamuatule and Buckner both hail from Hawaii and attend the same school as UCLA commit Steven Lakalaka. Recently both claimed UCLA in their top three.
Outlook: There is potential that the Bruins could take up to three defensive ends despite the current depth purely because there's a deep group in the 2012 class. Castro is unofficially considered their first choice but landing any of those prospects would be a good get for UCLA.

Defensive Tackle
Scholarship Outlook: 2
Verbal Commitments: None
Remaining Targets: Ellis McCarthy / Aziz Shittu / Justin Solis / Dwight Melvin
McCarthy and Shittu are two of the top tackles in the nation but while both are from Southern California, neither are heavily considering the Bruins. McCarthy, whose father is a UCLA fan, recently released a top five consisting of USC, Florida, Oregon, Washington and California. Shittu, a former Stanford commit, has the Bruins in his top group but the vibe is unless UCLA can put together a solid season, he will most likely wonder elsewhere. Solis is a local product from Westlake, and Melvin has stated on several occasions that his decision will most likely come down to UCLA and Arizona.
Outlook:
It is a very thin, top-heavy defensive tackle class out West - almost the opposite to last year - and it's not looking particularly good for UCLA. The lack of defensive tackle depth on the west is worrisome for UCLA and unless there are some major shifts in the recruitment of McCarthy or Shittu, it looks like it could be another weak class at defensive tackle. Years like this really make you ponder the what-ifs with Ricky Heimuli, George Uko, Brandon Willis, Todd Barr, Christian Heyward...

Linebacker
Scholarship Outlook: 2-3
Verbal Commitments: Aaron Porter - The Bruins' most recent commit is their highest rated thus far and for good reason, as he put up gaudy numbers as a junior, racking up 156 tackles, 23 for loss with 11 sacks and two interceptions. He has a very good understanding of the game, he sheds blocks well and he is a very sound tackler, with little bells and whistles.
Remaining Targets: Jeremiah Allison / Jared Afalava / Rashawn Hooker / Seth Jacobs
Allison (Dorsey HS) and Hooker (A.B. Miller HS) are two local guys who are looking very hard at UCLA. Hooker was recently offered by the Bruins and immediately put them into his top two with Boise State. Allison has made a name for himself as a legitimate student-athlete, sporting a 4.25 GPA while also accumulating 88 tackles and 20 sacks as a junior. Afalava, a Utah product, has UCLA into his top five and credited defensive line coach Inoke Breckterfield as the reason. UCLA will have to ward off local schools BYU and Utah, along with Oregon and Nebraska, for his services. Jacobs is an OLB/SS tweener but many project him to end up as a linebacker. He too has a long list of favorites that includes UCLA, Oregon, California, Washington, Arkansas and Colorado.
Outlook:
UCLA could land up to three linebackers in this class; they are off to a great start with the commitment of Porter and he will be a cornerstone as the Bruins build on their 2012 class.

Cornerback
Scholarship Outlook: 3
Verbal Commitments: Raymond Ford / Shannon Edwards
Ford has flown under the radar and UCLA was able to secure a commitment from the Serra product early on. Ford has wowed on the camp/combine circuit, with blazing speed, as he was recently clocked at a 4.41 40-yard dash at Nike's The Opening. Fellow speedster Edwards from Bakersfield is also said to hold a time under 4.40. Both are fairly small as of now but both show great athleticism and cover skills. A redshirt year for both of them could be beneficial.
Remaining Targets: Ishmael Adams / Kevon Seymour / Brandon Beaver / DJ Foster
Despite already having two verbal commitments, UCLA is still in the cornerback market. The current number one target is Adams, an Oaks Christian product who is considered one of the top pure cover corners in the nation. He only moved to California last year but he is expected to stay on the West coast though and it looks like UCLA could be leading for him at the moment. Beaver silently committed to UCLA early on but backed off of his commitment about a month ago. UCLA is still in the picture but it looks like both sides have cooled a bit. Foster and Seymour are two elite guys who the Bruins are looking at but both are favoring other options.
Outlook:
After missing out on a cornerback last season, UCLA clearly believes that it needs to stock up on corners this season especially with starters Sheldon Price and Aaron Hester entering their senior years in 2012. Expect UCLA to end the year with at least two corners, possibly three in the 2012 class.
Safety
Scholarship Outlook: 0-1
Verbal Commitments: None
Remaining Targets: Shaq Thompson / Zach Hoffpauir / Gerald Bowman
ANALYSIS: Safety is a position UCLA needs less immediate returns at because of the current depth on the roster. Still, when an elite prospect like Grant HS safety Thompson is on the board, teams tend to find ways to make space. Thompson, whose brother attended California, committed to the Golden Bears back in March but quickly decommitted to keep his options open. While UCLA is not considered the favorite, Thompson did say that UCLA would likely get an official visit along with Washington and Notre Dame. Hoffpauir is an interesting prospect out of Arizona who was named 1st team All-Arizona after an impressive junior season. He also has offers from Arizona, Arizona State, California, Stanford and Washington. Bowman is a JUCO prospect that has offers from all over the nation. His recruitment has been fairly quiet so far but he has 21 offers to date including USC, Miami, Tennessee, Oregon, Nebraska and Washington.
Outlook:
With six safeties, including Dietrich Riley and Dalton Hilliard returning in 2012, the need at the position is minimal. Look for the Bruins to go after Thompson and possibly Hoffpauir but chances are UCLA won't look much further than that.